Tool for inserting and removing parts in mechanical assemblages

ABSTRACT

A tool for use in gripping parts to be inserted in or removed from mechanical assemblages where such parts are positioned in difficultly accessible or confined locations. The tool comprises a tubular body carrying at one end an expansible or contractible gripping member having flexible fingers and mechanism for actuation of the fingers comprising an actuator member movable longitudinally relative to the fingers and shaped for coaction with the fingers upon longitudinal movement of the actuator in one direction to flex the fingers radially in one direction and upon longitudinal movement of the actuator in the other direction to allow flexing of the fingers in the other direction. The actuator is operated by a stem movable longitudinally in the body and having a threadable connection with the actuator to move the actuator longitudinally by rotation of the stem whereby the fingers may be adjusted into more or less close fitting engagement with the object. Lever mechanism is provided on the body which is connected to the stem to move the stem longitudinally in a direction to cause the fingers to grip an object upon swinging movement of the lever toward the stem and to allow movement of the fingers out of gripping engagement with the object upon swinging movement of the lever away from the body.

United States Patent [1 1 Kuenzel TOOL FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING PARTSIN MECHANICAL ASSEMBLAGES [76] Inventor: Rainer Kuenzel, 9606Meadowglen,

Houston, Tex.

22 Filed: May 21, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 117,431

[52] U.S. Cl. 29/282 [51] Int. Cl. B21d 39/04, B23p/19/04 [58] Field ofSearch 29/280-283, 7 v. azt i t [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,479,722 11/1969 Maness 29/280 X 2,497,633 2/1950 Shapiro et al29/280 X 2,373,064 4/1945 Stelzer 29/265 Primary ExaminerOthell M.Simpson Attorney-Charles E. Lightfoot [57] ABSTRACT A tool for use ingripping parts to be inserted in or re- Nov. 27, 1973 moved frommechanical assemblages where such parts are positioned in difficultyaccessible or confined locations. The tool comprises a tubular bodycarrying at one end an expansible or contractible gripping member havingflexible fingers and mechanism for actuation of the fingers comprisingan actuator member movable longitudinally relative to the fingers andshaped for coaction with the fingers upon longitudinal movement of theactuator in one direction to flex the fingers radially in one directionand upon longitudinal movement of the actuator in the other direction toallow flexing of the fingers in the other direction. The actuator isoperated by a stern movable longitudinally in the body and having athreadable connection with the actuator to move the actuatorlongitudinally by rotation of the stem whereby the fingers may beadjusted into more or less close fitting engagement with the object.Lever mechanism is provided on the body which is connected to the stemto move the stem longitudinally in a direction to cause the fingers togrip an object upon swinging movement of the lever toward the stern andto allow movement of the fingers out of gripping engagement with theobject upon swinging movement of the lever away from the body.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures United States Patent 1 [111 3,774,288 [451Nov. 27, 1973 Kuenzel Patented Nov. 27, 1973 2 Shani-Shoot 1 FIG. 2

Rainer Kuenze/ INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented. Nov. 27, 1973 3,774,288

2 Shak -Shut I Rd/nr Kuenze/ IN VENTOR ATTORNEY TOOL FOR INSERTING ANDREMOVING PARTS IN MECHANICAL ASSEMBLAGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Inthe maintenance and repair of mechanical assemblages, such as automotiveengines and the like, it is often necessary to remove and replace partswhich are located in inaccessible places and which cannot beconveniently reached and gripped with ordinary tools, such as wrenchesand pliers.

Certain internal combustion engines, for example, have rotating elementsby which the distributor or other rotatably driven mechanism isoperated, and which are located in close proximity to surrounding partsor within openings or recesses in which they are more or less closelyfitted so that they cannot be gripped by wrenches, pliers, or the like,for removal or reinsertion. Most such parts, however, have reduced endportions or bores or cavities which could be used for gripping the sameby a suitable implement designed to fit in such cavities or over suchreduced portions and to be expanded or contracted into grippingengagement with the part.

At times, the accumulation of dirt and grease or the like in assemblagesof this kind causes sticking of the parts and prevents the removal ofthe parts by ordinary means, so that much time may be consumed indisassembling the mechanism. The reassembling of such mechanism is oftena difficult and time consuming task, particularly when the parts must becarefully brought into axial alignment or held in a particular position,as in the case of rotatable members having splines, gears, or the like,which must be positioned in intermeshing relation within a confinedspace, bore, or cavity.

Various makeshift devices, such as pliers, whose jaws are adjustable toaccommodate different sizes of openings, or to grip the exterior ofobjects of different sizes, have been employed for the removal of partsof the kind mentioned, but these have not proven satisfactory due to thetendency of implements of this kind to slip off the object, as well asthe difficulty of manipulating the same in closely confined places.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, briefly described,comprises a gripping tool adapted to be used in confined locations orinserted into openings and which is expansible and contractible into andout of gripping engagement with a part positioned in such a location toallow the part to be removed or replaced. The tool of the invention hasan elongated, tubular body forming a handle by which the tool may bemanipulated and which carries at one end a gripping member which isexpansible or contractible, as the case may be, into gripping engagementwith an object having a cavity into which the member may be inserted ora portion over which the member may be positioned in surroundingrelation thereto.

The gripping mechanism of the tool includes the gripping member, whichis of generally tubular configuration, having flexible fingers and anactuator member, slidably mounted in the body and shaped for coactionwith the fingers to flex the fingers radially outwardly or inwardly, asthe case may be, into gripping engagement with the object to be held,upon longitudinal movement of the actuator in one direction and to allowflexing of the fingers radially out of such gripping engagement torelease the object upon longitudinalmovement of the actuator in theother direction.

The actuator member is operated by a longitudinally movable stemdisposed in the body, which is attached to the actuator to move the samelongitudinally with the stem and which is also threadably connected tothe actuator to move the actuator in either direction longitudinally byrotation of the stem.

The tool also includes lever means pivotally carried by the bodyexternally thereon for lateral swinging movement relative to the axis ofthe body, and linkage mechanism forming a connection between the leverand stem, whereby the stem may be moved in a direction to release thegripping member upon swinging movement of the lever away from the bodyand in a direction to grippingly engage the gripping member with theobject upon swinging movement of the lever toward the body.

The stem is adapted to be rotated in the body to move the grippingfingers into close fitting engagement with the object with the lever inan outward position relative to the body whereupon the lever may bemoved inwardly toward the body to move the fingers into tight grippingengagement with the object.

The lever acts as a quick acting mechanism for moving the grippingmechanism into tight gripping engagement with the object and releasingthe same therefrom, while the rotation of the stem serves as anadjustment for moving the gripping mechanism to a position for suchquick acting operation by the lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sideelevational view, partly broken away and partly in central, longitudinalcross section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustratingthe construction and manner of use of the same, and showing the devicein its expanded or gripping condition;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention as illustrated inFIG. 1, showing the same in its retracted or releasing condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view looking at the left-hand sideof the device of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 1,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, illustrating a modificationof the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating a furthermodification of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 8 8 of FIG. 7,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, illustrating a still furthermodification of the invention; and,

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 10 10 of FIG. 9,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings in greater detail, the tool of theinvention includes a generally tubular outer body or housing part 10,which serves as a handle, and which is formed at one end with anexternally reduced portion or neck 12, to provide an external shoulder14, and which is externally threaded at its end beyond the shoulder.

The neck portion 12 has a central bore 16 forming a guideway which opensinto an enlarged internal counterbore 18.

An expansible gripping member 20 is threadedly attached to theexternally threaded end of the neck 12, which member has an internallythreaded nut portion 22, and is formed with a plurality of longitudinalslots 24 forming flexible, expandible fingers 26 having externallythickened end portions 28 provided with external, peripheral teeth 30.

A rotatable and longitudinally slidable stem 32 is positioned in thebody extending into the guideway 16 and into the counterbore 18, andwhich is internally threaded at one end for the threadable connectionthereto of the elongated, externally threaded end portion 33 of anexpander element 34 having a tapered end portion 36 movably extendedinto the gripping member 20 for coaction with the fingers 26 to expandthe fingers upon movement of the element in one direction and to allowthe same to contract upon movement of the element in the otherdirection.

A pin 35 is carried by the expander member 34, projecting externallytherefrom into one or more of the slots 24 to hold the gripping memberagainst rotation relative to the expander 34, but which allowslongitudinal movement of the expander in the gripping member.

The stem 32 carries at its other end a knob 38 rotatably fitted into thecounterbore 18 and which extends from the body to permit manual rotationof the stem whereby the expander element 34 may be actuated to expandthe fingers 26 or to allow the same to retract.

The stem 32 is provided with an external annular groove 40 locatedwithin the counterbore 18, and a cylindrical block 42 surrounds the stemaround the groove 40 in the counterbore, which block carries a pin 44,loosely extending into the groove to cause the block and stem to movetogether longitudinally in the counterbore, but to allow the stem torotate freely in the block.

The pin 44 extends through longitudinally elongated 50 toward the body,to exert a pull on the stem 32 to move the expander member in adirection to expand the fingers into gripping engagement with theobject. With the object thus securely gripped by this tool, the objectmay be readily withdrawn from or inserted in the cavity C.

The tapered portion 36 of the expander member 34 may be of anyconvenient length and degree of taper and is of elongated cone shapewhose taper is preferably of the order of 8 to 10, so that the member iseasily withdrawn without stricking to allow the fingers 26 to retractand whereby an increased gripping force may be applied by the swingingmovement of the lever 50.

It will also be apparent that the gripping force applied may be readilyadjusted by rotation of the knob 38 to move the fingers 26 into more orless close fitting engagement with the object to be handled with thelever 50 swung outwardly away from the body to a greater or lesserextent, whereupon the object will be tightly gripped when the lever ismoved toward the body.

The external teeth 30 may, of course, be positioned longitudinally ofthe portions 28, not shown, instead of peripherally thereon, to adaptthe tool for gripping objects which it is desired to rotate rather thanto move longitudinally in an inaccessible location.

A somewhat modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6, wherein the gripping member 20 is of similar construction to themember 20, previously described, but wherein the thickened portions 28'of the gripping fingers 26 are externally recessed, as seen at 54, toreceive an expansible, split ring 56 surrounding these portions inposition to be expanded into gripping engagement with a surroundingobject upon expansion of the fingers.

In other respects, the tool illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is of similarconstruction and is operated in a similar manner to that illustrated inFIGS. 1 4.

slots 46 in the body and is pivotally connected at its ends externallyof the body to links 48, which are in turn pivotally connected to anactuating lever 50, pivotally mounted on the body, as by means of a pin52. The lever may be conveniently formed of sheet metal, in one piece,shaped to conform generally to the external shape of the body 10, sothat the lever may fit compactly against the body.

The body 10 may be formed with cut away portions forming oppositeexternal flat faces 56 to accommodate the links 48 and handle 50.

In making use of the invention, the expander 36 may be moved to anextended position, as shown in FIG. 2, by rotation of the knob 38, withthe lever 50 swung outwardly away from the body 10, to allow the fingers26 to retract radially inwardly, whereupon the externally toothedthickened portions 28 of the gripping member may be grippingly engagedwith an object to be manipulated, such as the object shown at O in FIG.1 positioned in a cavity C in a mechanical assembly, and which has anend counterbore B threin, by inserting the portions 28 in thecounterbore B and moving the lever By providing split rings 54 ofdifferent thicknesses, the tool may be adapted for use in openings ofgreatly varying diameters. Moreover, the rings may be replaced whennecessary for purposes of repair and may be formed of materials of anydesired hardness and consistency for gripping delicate objects whosesurface may be marred by hard objects or for gripping objects havinghard surfaces.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,wherein the thickened portions 28" of the fingers 26 are formed withexternal, peripheral grooves or notches 58, and a generally cylindrical,externally toothed, expansible gripping element surrounds the fingersand is provided with an internal annular projection or bead 62 whichfits into the notches 58 to releasably hold the gripping cylinder on thefingers.

The gripping cylinder 60 may be formed with longitudinal slots 64located at peripherally spaced intervals therein and extending from oneend of the cylinder toward the other end thereof to render the cylinderexpansible.

By providing expansible cylinders 60 of various external sizes, whichmay be replaceably used on the gripping member, the tool may be adaptedfor use in openings of widely varying sizes.

In other respects, the tool of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to thosepreviously described, and is used in a similar manner.

A still further modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10, which is designed for gripping objects externally instead ofinternally. In this form of the invention, the stem 32 is threadablyattached to a gripping member 70 which is formed with fingers 26"provided by longitudinal slots 24, and whose lower ends are formed withexternal, upwardly tapering end portions 78 providing an internallyenlarged expansible and contractible cavity 80 into which an object maybe inserted which is to be gripped externally.

The gripping member 70 is longitudinally movable in an external actuatormember 82, having a reduced portion 84 which is threadedly connected tothe externally threaded end of the neck portion 12 of the body 10, andan enlarged end portion 86 formed with an upwardly tapering endcounterbore 88 whose internal surface conforms to the external taper ofthe finger portion 78 to cause the fingers to contract radially intogripping engagement with the object 0' upon movement of the member 70 inthe counterbore 80 and to allow the fingers to retract radiallyoutwardly from downward movement of the member 70 in the counterbore.The actuator member 82 has a pin 90 extending inwardly into one of theslots 24' between the fingers 26" to prevent relative rotation of theactuator member and gripping member, but which allows free movement ofthe gripping member longitudinally in the actuator.

The actuator 82 and gripping member 70 are connected to and operated bythe same body and linkage mechanism as that previously described.

In making use of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10, the object O is inserted in the cavity 80 between the fingers 26"with the fingers in their expanded condition, the gripping member beingin a lower position in the actuator 82 and the lever 50 being in anoutwardly swing position relative to the body 10. By swinging the lever50 inwardly, the gripping mem ber may then be drawn upwardly in thecavity 88 to contract the fingers radially inwardly into tight grippingengagement with the object.

When the object has been moved to the desired position, it may bereadily released by swinging the lever 50 outwardly to allow the fingersto retract radially outwardly.

It will thus be apparent that the invention provides a tool for grippingobjects located in inaccessible places which cannot be reached withwrenches, pliers, or other commoly employed devices for removing andinserting objects to be positioned in openings.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimedas new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tool for releasably gripping an object to be manipulated,comprising:

a hollow handle;

an elongate pin positioned in said handle and extending from one endthereof;

a plurality of gripping fingers carried at one end of said handle, saidfingers being shaped on an exposed surface to engage and grip an objectwhich is controllably brought into contact with said fingers;

a second surface on said fingers at least partially opposed by saidexposed exterior surface;

an elongately movable co-acting surface adjacent to said fingers andco-acting with said second surface to cause said fingers to expand andgrip an object, said co-acting surface being connected to said pin andsaid co-acting surface is relatively fixed at least temporarily withrespect to said pin such that rotation advances said pin relative tosaid coacting surface;

said fingers and said co-acting surface include a cooperative taperedsurface such that said fingers are flexed radially on rotation of saidpin;

means on said elongate pin connecting said pin to said co-actingsurface;

means for rotating said pin to adjust said co-acting surface relative tosaid fingers and adjust the gripping action relative to an object; and,

means for moving said pin longitudinally of said handle to change saidco-acting surface and said fingers between a gripping position and anongripping position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said last named means includes meansforcibly pulling said pin lengthwise of said handle.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said last named means includes alever operated mechanism moving said pin longitudinally of said handle.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said mechanism includes a leverrotatable about a pivot point; and,

a link extending from said lever to pin, said link pushing said pin onrotation of said lever about said pivot point.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said link is connected to anenlargement which is received in an encircling groove in said pin, saidenlargement and said groove cooperating to permit rotation of said pinwhile maintaining their engagement.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said link and said enlargement areat least partly surrounded by a plug received slidably within saidhandle, and said handle has a lengthwise slot for receiving said link incooperative relationship to said handle.

7. The invention of calim l inlcuding a threaded and removablesub-assembly joined to said handle and including said fingers.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pin connects at its oppositeend with an exposed means which is rotatably extended from said handle.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fingers flex outwardly to gripan object.

1. A tool for releasably gripping an object to be manipulated,comprising: a hollow handle; an elongate pin positioned in said handleand extending from one end thereof; a plurality of gripping fingerscarried at one end of said handle, said fingers being shaped on anexposed surface to engage and grip an object which is controllablybrought into contact with said fingers; a second surface on said fingersat least partially opposed by said exposed exterior surface; anelongately movable co-acting surface adjacent to said fingers andco-acting with said second surface to cause said fingers to expand andgrip an object, said co-acting surface being connected to said pin andsaid co-acting surface is relatively fixed at least temporarily withrespect to said pin such that rotation advances said pin relative tosaid co-acting surface; said fingers and said co-acting surface includea cooperative tapered surface such that said fingers are flexed radiallyon rotation of said pin; means on said elongate pin connecting said pinto said co-acting surface; means for rotating said pin to adjust saidco-acting surface relative to said fingers and adjust the grippingaction relative to an object; and, means for moving said pinlongitudinally of said handle to change said co-acting surface and saidfingers between a gripping position and a non-gripping position.
 2. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said last named means includes meansforcibly pulling said pin lengthwise of said handle.
 3. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein said last named means includes a lever operatedmechanism moving said pin longitudinally of said handle.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3 wherein said mechanism includes a lever rotatableabout a pivot point; and, a link extending from said lever to pin, saidlink pushing said pin on rotation of said lever about said pivot point.5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said link is connected to anenlargement which is received in an encircling groove in said pin, saidenlargement and said groove cooperating to permit rotation of said pinwhile maintaining their engagement.
 6. The invention of claim 5 whereinsaid link and said enlargement are at least partly surrounded by a plugreceived slidably within said handle, and said handle has a lengthwiseslot for receiving said link in cooperative relationship to said handle.7. The invEntion of calim 1 inlcuding a threaded and removablesub-assembly joined to said handle and including said fingers.
 8. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said pin connects at its opposite end withan exposed means which is rotatably extended from said handle.
 9. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said fingers flex outwardly to grip anobject.